Word Origin & History

marriage c.1300, from O.Fr. mariage (12c.), from V.L. *maritaticum, from L. maritatus, pp. of maritatre "to wed, marry, give in marriage" (see marry)."When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition until death do them part." [G.B. Shaw]Marriage counselling first recorded 1945. Marriage bed, fig. of marital intercourse generally, is attested from 1590.

Example Sentences for marriage

He has obtained from his son a solemn promise never to speak to me of marriage.

Yes, dearest Philothea; but not till she had first told me of her own marriage with Geta.

I have sought thy daughter in marriage for Xerxes, prince of the empire.

He had disapproved of the marriage of his son and evinced his displeasure in his will.

As she had two protectors against a fifth proposal of marriage, she stood her ground.

Marriage might be the absorbing duty of some women, but was it necessarily hers?

Might not the duties of some callings be incompatible with marriage?

I have not dared tell them of your marriage—only of your illness.

She had seen hope of freedom in marriage, but now she wished it in independence.